# Bands which were better in their earlier and less successful incarnations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 11, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915 "2019-03-11T00:04:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/41 "2019-03-11T18:26:54Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > Even those who prefer the bombast of the Dickinson era should be able to admit the band had an awfully unique aesthetic going on in '80-'81 and an unconventional vocalist for a progg-ish band being gruff and more limited than those who can be operatic. I’m one who prefers late 80s Maiden, but those early albums are also really good, and it’s not just the singer that makes them seem like they are from a different band. I haven’t enjoyed much from them post Fear of the Dark. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/42 "2019-03-11T18:34:16Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > **Aerosmith** had some great shit when they were stoned out of their minds. They cleaned up and started making glurgy soundtrack crap. ☹ > > Bill Hicks was right. I agree. I wasn’t into late-80s and beyond Aerosmith. That said, early Aerosmith was also very successful —Toys in the Attic is apparently still their best-selling album. But, yes, relative to their later success, they were less successful then, technically. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/43 "2019-03-11T18:59:48Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Just wanted to chime in that I finally figured out your username after this post :smack:. > > And yes, Peter Gabriel/Steve Hackett Genesis were miles better than the later trio that devolved more and more into artistic meaninglessness. My artsy poncey “new wave” friends quite liked the first Mike and the Mechanics album. Phils first two solo albums are quite nice. Tonys The Fugitive is an…interesting 80’s artifact. And I’ll take Peter’s solo work over their early “prancing among the meadows” progrock Genesis days anytime. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/44 "2019-03-11T19:11:16Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > My artsy poncey “new wave” friends quite liked the first Mike and the Mechanics album. Mike and the Mechanics made the worst schlock ever associated with a Genesis member. Even worse than Phil Collins later solo work, and that counts for something. Uuuurgh. > [@](#): > > And I’ll take Peter’s solo work over their early “prancing among the meadows” progrock Genesis days anytime. I kinda agree with that. Peter Gabriel improved after leaving Genesis, while his former band declined. But nothing I know from everybody’s output (I don’t know Banks’ and Hackett’s solo work) beats \*Foxtrott \*IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/45 "2019-03-11T22:19:11Z")
I thought Fleetwood Mac’s best lineup was Danny Kirwan, Bob Welch, Christine McVie, and, of course, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. I also agree with RealityChuck about Blood, Sweat, and Tears. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/46 "2019-03-11T22:29:01Z")
No mention of Styx yet? :eek: How about Bon Jovi? I liked their first album or two, which were edgy and fresh-sounding, but _Slippery When Wet_ brought them fame and fortune, and IMHO their sound became formulaic and predictable at that point. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/47 "2019-03-11T22:35:12Z")
How about ZZ Top? I much prefer the first three albums, through Tres Hombres. More grit and rawness. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/48 "2019-03-11T22:42:26Z")
**The Replacements** I know, never _really_ successful, but their first EP _Sting_ and first Album _Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash_ were wonderful. All the rest…meh. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/49 "2019-03-11T22:43:35Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > In my opinion The Who peaked around the time of the Rolling Stones’ Rock And Roll Circus. They were a powerhouse force of nature then. The longer they went on, the less I needed them. The Who weren’t exactly unsuccessful before then. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/50 "2019-03-11T22:44:23Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > How about ZZ Top? I much prefer the first three albums, through Tres Hombres. More grit and rawness. Oh, good one! I wholeheartedly concur. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/51 "2019-03-11T22:48:15Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Joy Division’s also in that one, so it’s a wash. I’m not sure how someone would script a biopic of New Order that doesn’t mention Joy Division… ---
**Author:** ![Flare4roach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Flare4roach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flare4roach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/52 "2019-03-11T23:08:09Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > In my opinion The Who peaked around the time of the Rolling Stones’ Rock And Roll Circus. They were a powerhouse force of nature then. The longer they went on, the less I needed them. Aw hell no, The Who had 5 more years of GREAT stuff after 68’. They were still a singles band at that point…give me the Leeds version in 70’ and Who’s Next in 71’ any day of the week. Nothing wrong with 68’ but they were still feeling themselves and discovering what they could be. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/53 "2019-03-11T23:19:31Z")
Agreed, to a point. _Who’s Next_ is the Who at their peak. They’ve gone steadily downhill since then, and with the death of John Entwhistle, have gone over the cliff and become the World’s Most Expensive Who cover band. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/54 "2019-03-11T23:40:52Z")
**AC/DC**. Bon Scott, IMO, was an outstanding frontman and singer. Brian Johnson? No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/55 "2019-03-12T01:41:33Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Can I say the Brian Jones era Stones? The best Stones lineup for me, but hardly less successful. My entry: also not a band, but **Boz Scaggs** was a far more interesting musician before he started wearing suits and blow-drying his hair. Successful as he was with (and after) Silk Degrees, I thought it was cornball lounge lizard stuff. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/56 "2019-03-12T02:58:11Z")
I much prefer \*Horses _and_ Radio Ethiopia \*to any subsequent Patti Smith Group albums. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/57 "2019-03-12T03:00:26Z")
I prefer Burn The Priest to Lamb of God. I prefer early KISS (say 1976 and earlier). I prefer Ramones up until 1980. Once they became movie stars their output went way down in quality. Their concerts were still fucking awesome, but their recordings were mostly shite. Those three come off the top of my head but I’m sure there are lots of artists that changed stylistically and found great financial and popular success with what is essentially pablum. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/58 "2019-03-12T03:25:40Z")
I much prefer the ‘68-‘70 Deep Purple lineup of Nick Simper, Ian Paice, Rod Evans, Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord to the “classic” ‘70-‘73 lineup of Jon Lord, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, and Ian Paice. I realize i’m very much in the minority, but god, I loved those covers of “Hush,” “Kentucky Woman,” “River Deep Mountain High,” “Lalena,” “Hey Joe,” etc., etc. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/59 "2019-03-12T05:18:06Z")
**Dexys Midnight Runners** Their early singles and first album are excellent neo-soul. Very few people in the USA would have heard them, though they were big hits in the UK and parts of the commonwealth. Then they went celtic, had a massive worldwide smash hit, and while I like that stuff, I much prefer the earlier stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915/60 "2019-03-12T05:22:37Z")
For that matter, **UB40** ’s early singles and first album are far superior to their bland reggae-lite cover-version hits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-which-were-better-in-their-earlier-and-less-successful-incarnations/830915.md?page=4)